ALL MONEYED UP – Multi-million tala Alaoa Multipurpose Dam Project (insert) Finance Minister, Lautimuia Vaai at the signing of the grant agreement with ADB.
By Staff Writer
Moneywise, the mammoth ST$300m (US$111.2m) Alaoa Multipurpose Dam Project is not a funding worry anymore for Samoa.
The Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Vaai, beamed happily at the start of the week, when he signed a grant agreement for the full funding.
His joyful reaction was largely towards the Asian Development Bank for coming up with ST$269.5m to make up the bulk of the total project money.
The Irish Trust Fund chipped in just over $1m tala with Samoa making up the balance of just over ST$30m.
The Regional Director of the ADB, Pacific Subregional Office, Mr Aaron Batten co-signed the funding agreement and shared in the beaming smiles of the Finance Minister Lautimua.
The proposed Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project will include a small hydropower plant on the east and middle-east branches of the Vaisigano River behind Apia.
When fully operational it will help to control the Vaisigano River flooding, ensure enough water to supply Apia and more renewable energy generation.
The primary objective of the project is to reduce the force of flooding from the upstream areas of the east and middle-east branches of the Vaisigano River.
The dam is designed also to increase piped water supply during dry periods and improve the quality during periods of heavy rain.
“Today we have now reached another milestone of our partnership and shared commitments, after a long and arduous process and preparation to develop this project since 2017,” Lautimua said in gratitude to the ADB ties with Samoa.
The Regional Director of the ADB, Pacific Subregional Office Mr Aaron Batten, go-signed the grant agreement.
With him was Mrs Tuala Maria Melei Tagiilima – head of Unit, Samoa Pacific ADB Office and her local staff.
Minister Lautimuia was also expressed appreciation to the staff in both sides for the behind the scene work they did to set up the project.
“I also wish to acknowledge the dedication and efforts by both the ADB team and the Samoa team, especially the project team and the ADB Samoa Office, and the key Government agencies in their collaboration to ensure this project reached this milestone – the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI), the Electric
Power Corporation (EPC), the Samoa Water Authority (SWA), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and our Executing Agency – Ministry of Finance (MOF).
Malo galulue ma le tautua.”